sdlg usaid 2011 work plan

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC LOCAL GOVERNANCE (SDLG) PROGRAM IN BANGLADESH WORK PLAN 2011

FEBRUARY 2011

This publication was produced for the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Tetra Tech ARD.

This report has been prepared for the United States Agency for International Development, under USAID Contract Number EPP-I-00-04-00035-00, Order Number AID-388-TO-11-00001. Tetra Tech ARD Primary Contacts:

Zyck Baggett, Project Manager Dr. Jesse Biddle, Senior Technical Advisor/Manager 159 Bank Street, Suite 300 Burlington, VT 05401 Tel: (802) 658-3890 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

COVER PHOTO: People participate in a USAID/ARD Local Governance Initiative activity. Photo courtesy of USAID/Bangladesh LGI.

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC LOCAL GOVERNANCE (SDLG) PROGRAM IN BANGLADESH WORK PLAN 2011

FEBRUARY 2011

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

SDLG IN BANGLADESH: WORK PLAN 2011 i

CONTENTS

CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... I ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................... II 1.0 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1

1.1 LOCAL GOVERNANCE CONTEXT ................................................................... 1 2.0 STRATEGIC FOCUS........................................................................................ 3 3.0 COMPONENTS AND TASK AREAS ............................................................... 5

2.1 COMPONENT 1: ROLES AND AUTHORITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ............. 5 2.1.1 Task A: Research and Information Dissemination ......................... 5 2.1.2 Task B: Policy Dialogue .................................................................. 6 2.1.3 Task C: Innovative Practices .......................................................... 7 2.1.4 Task D: Partnership Building .......................................................... 8

2.2 COMPONENT 2: ADVOCACY AND CAPCACITY BUILDING OF LOCAL

GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS ...................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Task A: Training and Technical Assistance ................................... 9 2.2.1 Task B: Operational Support Services ......................................... 10

2.3 COMPONET 3: TRANSPARENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY BY

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS .............................................................................. 11 2.3.1 Task A: Training and Technical Assistance ................................. 11

2.4 COMPONENT 4: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL DECISION MAKING .......... 14 2.4.1 Task A: Developing Citizen Participation Forums ........................ 15 2.4.2 Task B: Participatory Strategic Planning ...................................... 15

2.5 COMPONENT 5: WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY .............................................. 16 4.0 CROSS-CUTTING THEMES AND APPROACHES ...................................... 18

4.1 GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION ................................................................. 18 4.2 COORDINATION AND PARTNER LINKAGES ................................................... 18 4.3 GENDER AND EXCLUDED GROUPS ............................................................. 19 4.4 MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS, AND OUTREACH ................................................ 20

APPENDIX A. PROJECT YEAR 1 TASK AND TIMELINE ................................... 23

ii SDLG IN BANGLADESH: WORK PLAN 2011

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AL Awami League

BUPF Bangladesh Union Parishad Forum

BCDJC Bangladesh Center for Development, Journalism and Communication

CF Citizen Forum

COTR Chief Officer’s Technical Representative

CPF Citizen Participation Forum

CTG Caretaker Government

DLGP Democratic Local Governance Program

HDI Howard Delafield International

IGS Institute of Government Studies

ILLG Improving Local Governance and Creating Citizens’ Awareness Program

JATRI Journalism Training and Research Initiative (of BRAC University)

LG Local Governance

LGA Local Government Association

LGI Local Governance Initiative

LGSP Local Government Strengthening Program

LGU Local Government Unit

LOE Level of Effort

MAB Municipal Association of Bangladesh

MCI Municipal Capacity Index

M&E Monitoring and Evaluation

MP Members of Parliament

NGO Nongovernmental Organization

NILG National Institute of Local Governance

ODP Organizational Development Plans

PSP Participatory Strategic Planning

SDLG IN BANGLADESH: WORK PLAN 2011 iii

RDA Rural Development Academy

SDLG Strengthening Democratic Local Governance Program

SOW Scope of Work

QSIP Quality Service Improvement Plans

UP Union Parishads

USAID United States Agency for International Development

SDLG IN BANGLADESH: WORK PLAN 2011 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Strengthening Democratic Local Governance in Bangladesh (SDLG) Project is a 39-month activity

(December 2010–March 2014) funded by the United State Agency for International Development’s

Bangladesh Mission (USAID/Bangladesh). Building on more than a decade’s worth of local government

strengthening programs in Bangladesh, the SDLG Project combines a focus on research and policy

advocacy, capacity development for local government associations, and training and technical assistance

for local government units at Union Parishad, Upazila Parishad, and Municipal levels. Tetra Tech ARD is

the implementing partner for the SDLG Project.

A core guiding principle for the SDLG Project–during Year 1 and continuing–will be to build on

USAID’s substantial investment in previous local government strengthening programs. This includes the

Local Government Initiative (LGI) implemented by Tetra Tech ARD from 2001–2005 as well as the

Democratic Local Governance Program (DLGP) in 2005–2008 and the ongoing Improving Local

Governance and Creating Citizens’ Awareness Program (ILLG). The SDLG Project will:

Expand the roles and authorities of local governments. We will stimulate evidence-based policy

dialogue at the national level, test/disseminate innovative practices and partnerships with local

governments, and demonstrate the benefits to policymakers;

Strengthen and expand the capacity of local government associations. We will work with the

existing union and municipal local government associations to articulate emerging policy dialogue

issues and advocate for legal and policy reform on behalf of their constituencies. We will also help

form a unified association of Upazilas;

Improve and expand the service delivery and resource mobilization of local government units. With Union Parishads (UPs) and municipalities we will work to expand existing capacities. We will

also help the newly forming Upazila-level governments to define and test service delivery and

resource mobilization alternatives; as we do this, we will support elected women officials by

clarifying roles and responsibilities and strengthening their capacities; and

Ensure accountability and transparency of local governments in finances and decision making. We will increase the participation of citizens, including women and youth, through citizen

participation forums, newly legislated UP Ward Committees, activating Standing Committees of

Upazilas, and other local participatory strategies.

1.1 LOCAL GOVERNANCE CONTEXT

The timing is particularly good for USAID/Bangladesh to mount another substantial local government

strengthening program. This reflects that major changes in the legislative framework for local governance

occurred in 2009 following reforms begun under the Caretaker Government (CTG), which were revised

and ratified by the new Awami League (AL) government. This includes reforms to the several levels of

local government as codified in new laws: the Upazila Parishad (repeal, reenactment, and amendment)

Act 2009, Local Government (Union Parishad) Act 2009, Local Government (Pourashava) Act 2009, and

Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009.

It is noteworthy that USAID programs have been supportive of and advocated for many of these reforms.

In particular, under the LGI Program, USAID helped build a domestic constituency to advocate for policy

reform through support for membership-based local government associations–the Bangladesh Union

2 SDLG IN BANGLADESH: WORK PLAN 2011

Parishad Forum (BUPF) and Municipal Association of Bangladesh (MAB). Confirming the logic of

USAID’s approach, many of the legislated changes to core local government laws and regulations

reflected MAB and BUPF policy positions.

While the changes to the legislative framework are significant, they are yet in the process of unfolding

with previously existing practices often yet in place and ambiguity and controversy surrounding the full

implementation of the new laws. Much work needs to be done to clarify and implement provisions in the

new legislations, many of which in principle provide enhanced authorities for local government units. At

the same time, there are political and bureaucratic forces working for and against decentralization and

local government strengthening and thus there is much need for evidence-based research and focused

advocacy on key policy issues.

A key complication recognized by the SDLG Project team is that the new legislations pose different

developmental challenges for various levels of local government. In both municipalities and UPs, the

legislative changes expand and clarify authorities in manners that are not, to date, highly controversial. At

these local government levels, the SDLG program will focus primarily on strengthening UP and

municipal governments. Key is that with enhanced authorities under recent legislation, as well as the

availability of direct block grant funds for UPs under the World Bank-supported Local Government

Strengthening Program (LGSP), the timing is good for expansion and improvement in union service

delivery.

The picture of legislative reform with Upazila Parishads is different. The policy debate has focused on

whether elected Upazila governments should assume responsibility for rural development and sector

programs (e.g., health and education), currently operated by central government ministries. The CTG and

AL government addressed this issue, with one result being that there are now three directly elected

officials in each Upazila Parishad that is an elected Upazila government. However, the April 2009

Upazila Act created ambiguities about roles and responsibilities, as well as political controversy between

the elected Upazila officials of both major political parties and the Members of Parliament (MPs), local

civil servants and ministry officials. SDLG Project work with the elected Upazila governments will have

to deal with ambiguities and conflicts about who manages budgets, what decisions elected versus

bureaucratic officials can make and which government services and staff are responsible to the newly-

elected officials.

The SDLG Project is aware as well of the importance–at all of the different LG levels–of supporting

elected women officials while encouraging both men and women to better understand and welcome

women’s contributions. While Bangladesh set aside three designated seats for women in Union Councils

in the mid-1990s, there are still UPs that do not take these women seriously or simply regard them as

stand-ins for male relatives. At the Upazila level, the position of newly elected women vice-chairs is

particularly problematic as the Upazila Act essentially stripped this position of meaningful

responsibilities. The SLDG Program can support these women with training and technical assistance, and

help clarify and reinforce their roles as elected representatives through advocacy for legal reform.

As regards policy reform in the context of supporting innovative practices for local governments, the

SDLG Project can contribute significantly with evidence-based research, support for constructive policy

dialogue and information dissemination among stakeholders. As there has already been considerable

research on LG issues, particularly at the Union Council level by USAID and others, the SDLG Project

need not reinvent the wheel and instead can synthesize lessons learned, identify service delivery

innovations and package these as tools and trainings for local governments. With regard to the ongoing,

vibrant policy dialogue related to Upazilas and the new local government framework, the SDLG Project

can be at the forefront in fostering constructive exchanges among stakeholders and different levels of

government. To contribute to such dialogues while empowering the voice of the newly-elected Upazila

officials, we will build a unified association for the new Upazila governments.


2.0 STRATEGIC FOCUS

The USAID/Bangladesh SDLG Project will build upon the political will of national and local government

elected officials as well as citizen groups and NGOs in order to help transform local governance in ways

that benefit Bangladesh’s neediest citizens. We will improve the legal and policy framework for local

governance and support its effective implementation at the several levels of local government. We will

strengthen MAB and BUPF while supporting the formation of a unified Upazila Association. We will

strengthen local government units across Bangladesh to more effectively deliver services while

supporting citizen groups to articulate community needs while better engaging these governments.

Our strategic approach is designed to ensure the SDLG Project achieves its key objectives within the 3.25

years’ timeframe, given the resources available, and taking into consideration constraints and

opportunities posed by the legal and policy framework for local governments. We will assess continually

the impacts of the dynamic political situation while building on a firm understanding of the views and

interests of the myriad stakeholders involved in local government affairs. Our strategy will be to:

Build on USAID/Bangladesh’s significant history of local governance support programs. We

will adopt proven, effective tools, such as citizen participation forums (CPFs) and participatory

strategic planning (PSP); work with organizations and experts that have participated in USAID’s

programs; and build on the entirety of local government efforts undertaken by USAID, including the

completed LGI (2001–2005) and DLGP (2005–2008) programs as well as the ongoing ILLG

program.

Link with USAID/Bangladesh’s and other donor’s programs. The SDLG Project will build

synergies with USAID/Bangladesh’s program portfolio, including new Presidential Initiatives, such

as Feed the Future and Global Health Initiative, as well as with other donor programs, such as the

World Bank-funded Local Government Support Program.

Integrate global and local lessons learned and proven tools for successful and sustainable local

governance programming. The SDLG Project will call on the experience and tools that Tetra Tech

ARD has developed over 30 years in partnership with USAID, such as Municipal Capacity Index and

Quality Service Improvement Plans (QSIPs). Recognizing USAID’s effective local government work

in Bangladesh, we will integrate our tools with existing ones, such as CPFs and PSPs, and seek to

improve and expand rather than supplanting these.

Identify, develop, and demonstrate to local governments innovative practices to achieve

performance standards. The 600 local governments to work with under the SDLG Project compose

a small subset of the pool in Bangladesh. We can expand the SDLG Project’s impact with the

demonstration effect of innovative practices. We will inventory existing successes, develop case

examples and disseminate information on how new practices can enhance LG service delivery and

service monitoring by citizen groups.

Integrate gender and youth concerns across the SDLG program while supporting women’s

participation. The SDLG Project team understands that gender-sensitive programming integrates

gender into the entire approach, including encouraging constructive men’s engagement. Similarly, our

programming will integrate a focus on the concerns of youth across the entire approach. We will work

with local governments, associations, civil servants and political parties to strengthen women’s roles

and support elected women officials.


Acquire, develop, and disseminate through multiple media information on the SDLG and local

governments in Bangladesh. We understand that the SDLG Project has multiple information

collection and dissemination goals. Our evidence-based research will contribute to a better

understanding of new LG laws and implementation challenges. Identification of innovative practices

and service improvements will be communicated well beyond the 600 local governments directly

targeted for training and technical assistance.


3.0 COMPONENTS AND TASK AREAS

2.1 COMPONENT 1: ROLES AND AUTHORITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The USAID/Bangladesh SDLG Project is beginning during a period of substantial reform of local

government laws and regulations in Bangladesh. As a result of the shifting legal and regulatory

environment, as well as the politics surrounding local government reform, the new laws are only

beginning to be implemented. Furthermore, in some instances, such as regards the Upazila Law, there is

substantial push-back against the laws from political (e.g., MPs) and bureaucratic (e.g., line ministry)

forces. In this environment, local government officials and engaged citizen groups face a shifting

patchwork of laws, regulations, and practices that are often contradictory. It is not surprising that there is

thus a lack of full definition for the roles and responsibilities of local government units.

2.1.1 TASK A: RESEARCH AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

Under this task area, the SDLG Project team will work closely with project partner, BRAC University

Institute of Governance Studies (IGS), as well as with regional universities, e.g., Rajshahi, Khulna, and

Bogra Rural Development Academy (RDA). We will sponsor evidence-based research into key local

governance topics and mount national- and regional-level conferences and workshops to highlight the

research while highlighting policy reform needs.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 1: LOCAL GOVERNANCE POLICY RESEARCH PROGRAM

Approach: With this activity we will partner with IGS to engage in a dedicated research program related

to key issues of local governance in Bangladesh. Research findings will be evidence-based and presented

at national-level conferences to involve the academic, government, NGO and donor communities.

Research findings will be published as an inter-related set of research reports and distributed to

universities, think tanks and NGOs. Illustrative topics include: Gaps between Legal Authorities of Local

Government Units (LGUs) and Actual Practices, Effectiveness of Women’s Participation in LGUs, and

Roles and Relationships between Elected LGU Officials (at all levels) and Line Ministry Official at

Upazila Level. Research topics will be defined in consultation with IGS.

We will encourage media coverage for this and a number of other research, policy dialogue, and

information dissemination activities to be undertaken. Supporting our media, communications and

outreach strategy will be our international subcontractor, Howard Delafield International (HDI).

Additionally, we will work with our local media partner, Bangladesh Center for Development, Journalism

and Communication (BCDJC) to ensure widespread reporting. We will also look for opportunities to link

with and coordinate our activities with the USAID-supported Journalism Training and Research Initiative

at BRAC University (JATRI).

Timing: We will negotiate the modalities of the partnership with IGS during February–March and

anticipate research conferences will be held approximately every four months, with ones in June and

October 2011.


TASK A, ACTIVITY 2: SUPPORT REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES TO DEVELOP LOCAL GOVERNANCE RESEARCH CAPACITIES

Approach: In addition to sponsoring a dedicated research program, we will also reach out to regional

universities in order to develop greater local governance research capacities. The SDLG Project will

collaborate in organizing regional workshops and seminars in which research findings, including from

IGS, may be presented and related local government policy, practice and performance issues discussed

with elected and line ministry officials, NGOs and interested university faculty. Media coverage will be

encouraged and coverage enhanced through the support of SDLG Project partner, BCDJC.

Timing: We will visit universities during March-April to determine the shared interest in and

coordination for this SDLG Project initiative. We anticipate holding two or more workshops or seminars

following the release of each IGS local government research report, with these anticipated to occur in

July-August and in November–December 2011.

2.1.2 TASK B: POLICY DIALOGUE

In approaching this task area the SDLG Project is fully aware of the contentiousness of policy debate

surrounding local government reforms in Bangladesh and also aware that productive policy dialogue and

achieving consensus on desired reforms are unlikely to occur when interlocutors do not listen to each

other. We will organize policy dialogues using multiple strategies in order to generate better

understanding of issues and of stakeholders’ respective views and interests, increase the demand for

effective policy reforms and improve the overall tenor of local governance reform debate.

TASK B, ACTIVITY 1: LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAKEHOLDER POLITICAL MAPPING

Approach: Given the complexity of the legal and policy issues surrounding local government reform, and

recognizing the diversity of interests and views among elected officials (at different levels), bureaucrats

and the NGO community, the SDLG Project will conduct a stakeholder political mapping exercise. The

mapping will be conducted by an expert consultant and will help illuminate the constellation of interests

and specific actors who are active as regards policy reform debates. The mapping report will be primarily

used by the SDLG Project team, USAID and other partners and donors working closely together in

support of local government strengthening.

Timing: The stakeholder political mapping will be conducted during April–May 2011.

TASK B, ACTIVITY 2: OPINION POLLING ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM ISSUES

Approach: The SDLG Project will sponsor national-level polls (bi-annual or as determined to be most

relevant) to take the temperature of public opinion with regards to local government policy, practice and

performance issues. Such polls were conducted previously by the USAID/LGI project during 2002–2005.

Poll results will contribute to research and policy dialogue activities sponsored by the project. Media

coverage will be encouraged, particularly through working with BCDJC.

Timing: Opinion Polls will be conducted bi-annually in July and January with the first one anticipated for

July 2011.

TASK B, ACTIVITY 3: LOCAL GOVERNANCE POLICY REFORM ROUNDTABLES

Approach: As a parallel activity to basic research conferences, the SDLG Project will also sponsor

national-level policy reform roundtables to encourage constructive dialogue among stakeholders with

respect to topical and likely contentious policy debates. We will encourage a diversity of opinions to be

aired while seeking to support a constructive exchange of views. Illustrative topics include: Empowering

Women leadership in LGUs and Fiscal and Administrative and Political Decentralization. Media

coverage will be encouraged in consultation with SDLG Project partners HDI and BCDJC.


Timing: We will organize an initial, informal roundtable in February to involve IGS, NGOs and elected

and government officials as possible in order to introduce the SDLG Project Roundtables and to identify

topical policy reform issues suitable for constructive debate. We anticipate sponsoring three roundtables a

year, with ones anticipated for April, August, and December 2011.

TASK B, ACTIVITY 4: CONSENSUS-BUILDING DIALOGUES

Approach: While the roundtables as well as research conferences will be formal, public activities with

media coverage, the consensus-building dialogues will be informal gatherings conducted outside of the

spotlight. These dialogues, which are also referred to as public-private dialogues, will be sponsored as

part of our partnership arrangement with IGS. They are envisioned to be periodic gatherings of a small set

of nationally-active local government elected and government officials as well as recognized leaders

among the academic, NGO and, possibly, private sector communities. Participants will be sought who are

passionate about local government reform and who are understood to be interested and capable of

constructive dialogue, including academics, political leaders, Members of Parliament, civil society leaders

including supportive civil servants, and media icons. The purpose of the dialogues will be to encourage

honest exchange of views with the aim of identifying areas of consensus on policy reform possibilities.

To that end, these dialogues will be informal and conducted without media coverage.

Timing: We will hold consultations with local government stakeholders in March–April to solicit interest

in the dialogues and further refine their focus and goal-orientations. We anticipate the dialogues proper to

begin in May and be held periodically (every other month to begin) during 2011.

2.1.3 TASK C: INNOVATIVE PRACTICES

The SDLG Project recognizes that with 309 municipalities, 482 Upazila Parishads and 4498 Union

Parishads in Bangladesh, there are considerable differences in practices and performance between and

among levels of local governance. In addition to this natural laboratory, there is a rich history of local

government training and technical assistance from USAID, other donors and the Government of

Bangladesh to many local governments nationwide. Our approach will be draw on these rich experiences

to cull examples of innovative practices while undertaking activities to ensure local government officials

and other stakeholders learn about these.

TASK C, ACTIVITY 1: INVENTORY AND TOOLKIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRENGTHENING PRACTICES

Approach: Recognizing the impressive history of USAID, other donor and Government of Bangladesh-

sponsored local government technical assistance and training programs, the SDLG Project will undertake

an inventory study seeking to clarify approaches, tools and practices that have been used previously. On

this basis, we will cull examples of effective efforts and distill these into a toolkit that will be made

available to SDLG Project partners and stakeholders as well as used in our own technical assistance and

training programs for LGUs.

Timing: We will undertake the inventory starting in March and develop the toolkit in April 2011.

TASK C, ACTIVITY 2: REACTIVATE AND SUPPORT BUPF NATIONAL WOMEN’S CAUCUS

Approach: An important achievement of the LGI program during 2003–2005 was the assisting the

formation of the BUPF National Women’s Caucus, the first local government association focused on

women’s needs and led by women in Bangladesh. Since then the caucus has not been highly active but a

number of members contacted have confirmed their belief that it is yet viable and welcome the SDLG

Project’s support. We will begin with a caucus re-launching meeting. From this we will support the

formation of a National Coordination Committee, support the committee and caucus to develop a strategic

focus and plan, and sponsor leadership trainings.


Timing: We anticipate the following timeframe: caucus re-launching meeting in April, formation of the

National Coordination Committee in June–July, developing a strategic plan in September, and leadership

trainings in November 2011.

TASK C, ACTIVITY 3: IN-COUNTRY LEARNING TOUR FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Approach: Again, recognizing the history and wealth of examples of local government strengthening

activities that have occurred in Bangladesh over the past 10+ years, he SDLG Project will encourage

learning and the sharing of practices among different LGUs. On the basis of having inventoried previous

practices, tools and approaches as well as in consultation with SDLG Project NGO partners, MAB and

BUP we will identify UPs and municipalities that are performing well in distinct and replicable manners

and sponsor in-country learning tours for local government officials.

For this activity, we will also liaise with the World Bank-sponsored Horizontal Learning program to

identify linkages and ways to coordinate activities.

Timing: We anticipate sponsoring two in-country learning tours in Project Year 1, in October and

December 2011.

TASK C, ACTIVITY 4: INTERNATIONAL STUDY TOUR FOR OFFICIALS OF LGUS, GOVERNMENT, MAB, BUPF AND BUPF NATIONAL WOMEN’S CAUCUS

Approach: The SDLG Project will sponsor a single international study tour in Project Year 1. There will

be two inter-related purposes. On the one hand, the tour will focus on comparative examples of local

government roles and authorities, including relationships between the central government and LGUs and

between different levels of LGUs themselves. This focus reflects that these issues are at the heart of the

local government policy reform debate ongoing in Bangladesh. On the other hand, the tour will assist

participants to develop better relationships amongst themselves as well as a more nuanced understanding

of the diversity of views on local governance debates. To this end, we will carefully choose participants

representing different stakeholder groups who, however, are viewed to be open to if not champions of

policy reform. Study tour sites have not been determined but may include India, Indonesia, The

Philippines or Sri Lanka.

Timing: We anticipate the tour will take place in July–August 2011.

2.1.4 TASK D: PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

The SDLG Project will support partnership building among local governments in ways that encourage

improved service delivery for citizens and improved service monitoring by local governments and

citizens. Our approach will involve developing a special incentive fund to encourage innovative

partnerships among LGUs (of different levels) and also between LGUs and citizen participation Groups.

We will organize a completion, with transparent procedures for soliciting and reviewing proposals and

appropriate safeguards in place for funds disbursement, in order to encourage creative ideas for

partnership arrangements.

Examples of partnerships could include:

Horizontal partnerships among LGUs for improvements in basic services (e.g., health, education,

water, waste management, disaster mitigation), and

Vertical partnerships between UPs within an Upazila and line ministries to support and monitor

effective services organized or controlled at the Upazila level.

The special incentive fund will become operational in Project Year 2.


2.2 COMPONENT 2: ADVOCACY AND CAPCACITY BUILDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS

Having supported the formation of BUPF and strengthened MAB under the LGI, Tetra Tech ARD and

core members of the SDLG Project team are familiar with these local government associations (LGAs),

have existing relationships with leaders and members, and enjoy their good will. Such assets will help us

address the potentially challenging twin objectives of improving associational performance while

encouraging association sustainability and self-financing. Our approach will involve collaboratively

developing strategic/organizational development plans with leaderships that focus on these two

objectives, and subsequently supporting and monitoring the implementation of the plans. In tandem, we

will help form a unified Upazila Parishad local government association, encourage collaboration among

the several associations and, ultimately, support the formation of a Federation of Local Government

Associations in Bangladesh.

2.2.1 TASK A: TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

With internal elections for regional and executive committee leaderships occurring in the first half of

2011 for both MAB and BUPF, the timing is fortunate for the SDLG Project to further build constructive

relations oriented around the objectives of improving associational performance and sustainability. We

will support the internal elections processes, train the new leaderships and engage in a collaborative

process of strategic planning leading to the development of multi-year organizational development plans.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 1: SUPPORT MAB ELECTIONS FOR REGIONAL COMMITTEES AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Approach: During February and March, MAB had previously scheduled overall elections processes for

the association in concert with its constitutional and internal rules. The SDLG Project will join in and

support these elections. First, we will participate in the seven regional elections, help sponsor these

activities if possible, and use the occasion to reintroduce USAID, Tetra Tech ARD and the SDLG Project

to the MAB members participating in elections. Subsequently, we will also join in and support the follow-

on process of electing the new MAB Executive Committee and host a follow-on gathering for the new

leadership.

Timing: The Regional Committees and Executive Committee elections with SDLG Project support are

anticipated to occur in late February and March 2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 2: APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY/BASELINE STUDY OF MAB AND BUPF

Approach: Our strategy for working with the LGAs is to engage them collaboratively in defining steps

required to improve associational performance while defining how to achieve greater financial

independence and sustainability. To begin, we will be to conduct an Appreciative Inquiry into the

accomplishments and ongoing activities of the associations. This will allow the associations to put their

best foot forward while providing SDLG Project officers the time required to establish relations of trust

and understanding with leaders and members. We will also use the Appreciative Inquiry to conduct a

Baseline Study, and this will allow us to subsequently measure performance improvements over time.

Timing: We will conduct the appreciate inquiry/baseline study for MAB in April and for BUPF in June

2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 3: DEVELOP STRATEGIC/ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS WITH MAB AND BUPF

Approach: The SDLG Project will we will support strategic planning workshops with the LGAs to

develop Organizational Development Plans (ODPs). As noted, it can be challenging for the associations,


and by extension, for the SDLG Project to simultaneously improve LGA functional performance in key

areas–advocacy, research, legal, member services, media and outreach–while also achieving more

financial independence and sustainability. Our approach will minimize the risk that differences will

emerge between associational leaderships and the SDLG Project over how to allocate SDLG funds. The

ODPs will specify clear objectives, timetables, persons responsible and related measures to enable the

SDLG Project to monitor their implementation and ensure accountability for assistance provided.

For this activity, we will also conduct conversations and seek linkages with the GTZ, which provides

MAB with some support and which also desires to support a strategic planning process.

Timing: We will conduct strategic planning workshops and develop organizational development plans

with MAB in July and with BUPF in August 2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 4: LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR MAB AND BUPF

Approach: The SDLG Project will sponsor leadership training for the newly-elected leaderships of MAB

and BUPF. The trainings will reinforce for the leaders how crucial is their role in ensuring their

associations have sensible plans for the future and in working with associational staff members and

association members to implement needed organizational improvements and restructurings as identified

through strategic planning and the adopted organizational development plans.

Timing: We will sponsor leadership trainings for MAB and BUPF during September–October 2011.

2.2.1 TASK B: OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

The SDLG Project will consult with USAID/Bangladesh and implementing partner DAI/PROGATI to

understand the extent of core operational support now being provided to MAB and BUPF. We will focus

over time, as we develop strategic/operational development plans, on assisting the associations to best

define how to use core funds to improve performance and sustainability, including effective coordination

among associations. As the new Upazila Association is formed, we will consider how best the SDLG

Project can also support its effective performance and sustainability.

TASK B, ACTIVITY 1: DEFINE AND SUPPORT CORE OPERATIONS OF MAB AND BUPF

Approach: The SDLG Project will review the history and current provision of core operational support

now being provided to MAB and BUPF and discuss with leaderships of the LGAs the existing uses of

core support (e.g., office, staffing, overhead). On these bases we will define appropriate levels of core

support for each association. Over time, following the adoption of organizational development plans and,

in Project Year 2, of financial sustainability plans, the SDLG Project will review the extent of core

support required as part of the incentive structure for the LGAs to achieve greater financial independence

and sustainability.

Timing: We anticipate providing core operational support to MAB and BUPF starting in March 2011 or

when advised by USAID/Bangladesh on the basis of previous agreements with the PROGATI Project.

TASK B, ACTIVITY 2: COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF MAB/BUPF/UPAZILA ASSOCIATION

Approach: Recognizing that there are areas of overlap of associational interest, the SDLG Project will

encourage MAB and BUPF to more regularly consult with each other and establish a Coordination

Committee. This activity is best planned following the development of strategic/organizational

development plans by these LGAs. When the new Upazila Association is established, we will also

encourage it to participate on this committee. The specific agendas for coordinating activities will be

developed by the associations and the committee, and the SDLG Project will consider supporting

activities on a case-by-case basis. One possible activity that may be jointly supported by MAB and BUPF

is to advocate for a National Local Government Day.


Timing: We anticipate supporting the formation of a Coordinating Committee in December 2011.

TASK B, ACTIVITY 3: SUPPORT UNIFIED UPAZILA PARISHAD ASSOCIATION

Approach: Building on the success of the USAID/ARD LGI Project, the SDLG Project understands the

importance as well as the modalities of supporting the formation of a unified Upazila Parishad

Association. Currently, there are two nascent associations, the Bangladesh Upazila Parishad Association

and the Upazila Chairman and Vice-Chairmans’ Oykayo Parishad. SDLG Project consultations with

leaderships in these two nascent associations held in December 2010 indicate good will toward the idea of

generating a unified association. Our process for establishing the new association includes convening

consultations with existing nascent associations, holding divisional leadership elections, holding

Executive Committee elections, and sponsoring strategic/organizational development planning.

Timing: We anticipate the following timetable: negotiations to ensure coordination with existing nascent

associations in April, division elections in June, Executive Committee elections in July, and

strategic/organizational development planning in September–October 2011.

2.3 COMPONET 3: TRANSPARENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The SDLG Project approach to strengthening local government units under this component is closely

linked to our approach for working with citizen participation forums (CPFs) under Component 4: Citizen

Participation in Local Decision-Making. We will select LGUs (and related CPFs) to receive assistance as

well as select a control group of LGUs, all of which will be part of our baseline study, so that we can most

effectively ensure we measure the impact of our assistance. The baseline study will provide us with key

information on LGU attributes and their change over time. In terms of assistance provision, we will

develop an integrated and sequenced package of training and technical assistance for LGUs and roll out

this assistance in Project Year 1 to an initial wave of LGUs and associated CPFs. During Project Year 2,

while continuing assistance and mentoring to the first wave of LGUs and CPFs, we will simultaneously

adapt and scale up our assistance and the overall approach in order to meet the SDLG Project target of

assisting 600 LGUs. Throughout, our core objective will be to help LGUs become more effective and

transparent service providers with constructive communicative ties to citizens groups and the local

community.

Assisting our efforts under Component 3 and Component 4 will be the SDLG Project key NGO partners:

RDRS Bangladesh, Wave Foundation, and Democracy Watch. These partners supported the initial Tetra

Tech ARD proposal to USAID/Bangladesh and have confirmed their interest and enthusiasm to help

implement this important program. These partners were chosen both because they each have successful

histories of working with local governments and citizen participation groups and because they each have

geographic presences and prior work experience in USAID/Bangladesh’s areas of preferred geographic

concentration in the north-west and south-west, including the Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh. The

SDLG Project will work collaboratively with these partners to design training and technical assistance

packages and then to effectively deliver the assistance across the life of the project.

2.3.1 TASK A: TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

During initial work planning in January 2011 the SDLG Project team preliminarily identified sites for

working with municipalities, Upazilas and UPs. Our site selection is based on what we refer to as

“clusters” of LGUs, which are geographically concentrated (i.e., either one district or two districts that are

contiguous) groupings of local governments that contain roughly 30 UPs, 10 Upazilas, and 4

Pourashavas. Over the life of the SDLG Project, we will provide assistance, tailored to the three different

levels of LGUs within clusters, to approximately 15 clusters overall, with a control group of


approximately 10 clusters. The training and technical assistance provided will differ and be specifically

tailored by the individual levels of LGU within clusters. At the same time, the overall package of

assistance we will provide will be similar across clusters.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 1: LGU CLUSTER SITE SELECTION

Approach: We understand that USAID/Bangladesh has priority areas of geographic concentration for a

number of inter-related projects, and we sought to take this into consideration during our LGU cluster site

selection process. Specifically, we prioritized the selection of clusters that would receive assistance under

the initial wave of SDLG Project support in Project Year 1 to all be within the key Rajshahi, Rangpur and

Khulna Divisions. We anticipate providing support to three to four clusters in these Divisions in Year 1.

While we intend to subsequently expand to several other Divisions nationally, we will continue to

prioritize assistance to these three key Divisions.

During the cluster site selection exercise, the SDLG Project team successively applied four different

filtering criteria to the entire set of districts in Bangladesh until a list of 25 clusters was determined. The

four filters are:

Distribution of districts: The SDLG Project will have a skewed geographic focus in the Rajshahi

area, and generally in the north-west and south-west of the country; however both treatment and

control groups cover other Divisions in Bangladesh.

Political balance: The SDLG Project team ensured that selected sites do not heavily favor one

political group over another and, with further UP and Upazila site selection within clusters, this will

be further fine-tuned.

Ability to capitalize on other USAID/donor funded programs: Sites were reviewed and assessed

based on if there were other existing USAID projects with which to work so as to promote a

multiplier effect and increase sustainability and longevity of SDLG Project as well as of other USAID

project interventions.

Impact of the poor/disadvantage: This last filter looked at areas of the country that are a bit more

underserved and this was used as a weighted factor when finalizing sites.

The 25 clusters were further grouped around broad geographic areas that correspond with locations for

SDLG Project field offices in the divisional capitals of Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna. From this list of

districts we then applied a Microsoft Excel Randomization program from which our treatment and control

sites were chosen. For SDLG Project Year 1, we have chosen the following clusters: Rangpur/Gaibandha

cluster from Rangpur Division, Rajshahi and Chapai/Nawabganj clusters from Rajshahi Division, and

Khulna cluster from Khulna Division. A more complete explanation of our site selection process and a

complete list of our treatment and control cluster sites are contained in our Draft Performance

Monitoring Plan, previously submitted to USAID/Bangladesh along with the Draft Work Plan for

Project Year 1.

While the SDLG Project team is prepared to use the provisionally selected treatment and control clusters,

we will await USAID review and guidance as to the suitability of these sites prior to conducting our

baseline survey or initiating assistance provision.

Timing: We conducted the provisional LGU site selection in January and a revised site selection, if

requested by USAID, will be conducted in February 2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 2: BASELINE STUDY OF LGUS

Approach: As noted, we will conduct a baseline study of a randomly chosen group of LGUs in both our

treatment group of 15 clusters as well as the control group of 10 clusters. The baseline study, described in


detail in our Draft Performance Monitoring Plan, has several inter-related purposes. It will allow a

methodologically sound assessment and attribution of the impacts achieved by the project (as measured

by treatment groups) verses those impacts that occur in the absence of the project (as measured by control

groups). As well, it will provide information and assessments of LGU’s level of participatory strategic

planning and budgeting, public hearings, procurement, public record availability, production of annual

reports and personnel administration. The baseline will further allow an assessment of citizen/customer

satisfaction and perceptions of municipal-managed services, specifically the 10 compulsory duties. Lastly,

the baseline will enable the SDLG Project to assess strides made in the political enabling environment as

a result of more informed policymakers and general public

The baseline study for LGUs will rely on several data collection tools. These are:

Household Survey: This will be conducted to measure perceptions of citizens on topics such as service

delivery, participation, inclusion, and transparency of local government, as well as satisfaction local

service delivery and input of budgetary and local decisions.

Qualitative Data Collection: Upon review of the quantitative data and household survey report, the

SDLG Project will select a sample of communities in which to conduct focus groups, Participatory Rapid

Appraisal, and key informant interviews.

Municipal Capacity Index (MCI): Tetra Tech ARD’s MCI is used to determine capacity and

competency of staff and systems of the LGUs. The MCI’s baseline (in the form of a matrix/scorecard)

will create a list of municipal systems and services that will be tracked throughout the life of the program.

Timing: The baseline survey will be conducted during March–May and the final baseline report for LGUs

will be completed in June 2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 3: DEVELOP TRAINING MATERIALS WITH NGO PARTNERS

Approach: During the period of time the baseline study is being conducted the SDLG Project will

organize a series of workshops with our NGO partners in order to develop project-specific materials for

providing training and technical assistance to LGUs. With regards to UPs and Municipalities, this process

will involve review and discussion of existing materials previously developed by the NGO partners,

USAID and its partners and other donors in areas such as Revenue Generation, Open Budgets, Gender

Integration, Activating Standing Committees, etc. Contributing to this exercise will be the inventory and

toolkit of local government strengthening practices we will develop as discussed above under Component

1, Task C, Activity 1.

With regards to Upazilas the challenge will be different; the SDLG Project will develop new materials

and approaches sensitive to the multiple challenges of working at this level of local government. These

challenges prominently include finding constructive ways to work with the elected Chairman and two

Vice-Chairs as well as with line ministry representatives in a context where roles, authorities and

responsibilities are in flux and are a site for contestation.

Timing: We anticipate working with our NGO partners to develop training materials during April–May

2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 3: TRAINING-OF-TRAINERS WITH NGO PARTNERS

Approach: Reflecting the SDLG Project approach of supporting the development of local capacities, the

bulk of direct assistance for LGUs will be provided by our NGO partners as opposed to directly by the

project team. Rather, the roles of the project team will be to ensure quality control over the training and

technical assistance to be provided and to subsequently oversee and monitor the performance of our NGO

partners as the project matures. We will adopt a train-the-trainer methodology to ensure the quality and

consistency of assistance to be provided by NGO partners.


Timing: The SDLG Project training-of-trainers with our NGO partners is anticipated for June–July 2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 4: CLUSTER RECEPTION MEETINGS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN COLLABORATION WITH NGO PARTNERS, MAB AND BUPF

Approach: Prior to initiating trainings and providing technical assistance, the SDLG Project will organize

a series of Cluster Reception Meetings. The purpose will be to introduce the renewal of significant

USAID/Bangladesh assistance for LGUs via the SDLG Project and meet with and explain the

methodological approach of the project. Participants will include leaders from all levels of selected LGUs

in the cluster. Consistent with the implementation approach of Tetra Tech ARD and SDLG Project team,

the inclusion of our NGO partners and local government associations, MAB and BUPF, will encourage

LGU buy-in as well as constructive engagement with the SDLG project. For Project Year 1, we anticipate

working with about four to five clusters and so anticipate sponsoring four to five Cluster Reception

Meetings.

Timing: We anticipate the Cluster Reception Meetings to be take place in August 2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 5: TRAININGS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Approach: Having developed project-dedicated training and related technical assistance materials,

secured harmonized approaches among our NGO partners via training-of-trainers workshops, and

introduced the SDLG Project to selected, cluster-based LGUs, we will next roll out a sequenced series of

integrated training packages. These trainings will treat each cluster similarly but will be tailored to be

most relevant for different levels of LGUs. In addition, our NGO partners with the support of our field-

based offices will organize follow-on support and mentoring in dialogue with LGU leaders. The core

topics and sequence for trainings are:

Financial Management and Revenue Generation: two-day training with follow-on mentoring;

Quality Service Improvement/Service Monitoring: one-day training with follow-on mentoring; and

Participatory Planning/Participatory Budgeting: two-day training with follow-on mentoring.

For this activity we anticipate there will be multiple opportunities for the SDLG Project to liaise with and

seek linkages to other USAID-funded projects active within our selected LGU cluster sites. The

determination of these linkages, and full integration of them into the SDLG Project work planning and

management processes, will be supported by the project’s Linkages Coordinator.

Timing: We anticipate providing the Financial Management and Revenue Generation training in

September–October and the Quality Service Improvement/Service Monitoring training in October-

November 2011. Consistent with the goal of integrating Component 3 and Component 4 activities in

harmonization with annual budget cycles, we anticipate providing the Participatory Planning/Participatory

Budgeting training in Project Year 2 in-or-about January–February 2012.

2.4 COMPONENT 4: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL DECISION MAKING

The SDLG Project approach to this component is tightly integrated with our approach to the Component

3: Transparent and Effective Service Delivery by Local Governments. Thus, the site selection

methodologies and processes noted above for rolling out, adapting and scaling up training and technical

assistance across Project Years 1, 2 and 3 will also inform the choice of which local communities and

citizen participation groups we will support with training and technical assistance. Equally, as under

Component 3, our approach will fully integrate SDLG Project key NGO partners: RDRS Bangladesh,

Wave Foundation, and Democracy Watch. These partners will assist us to develop assistance packages for


citizen participation groups and subsequently assist in the delivery of assistance across the life of the

project.

2.4.1 TASK A: DEVELOPING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION FORUMS

We will develop training and technical assistance materials collaboratively with our NGO partners. In

this, the SDLG Project is fortunate that RDRS Bangladesh, Wave Foundation and Democracy Watch each

have experience–albeit using different terminologies and with support from diverse donors and

foundations–in sponsoring Citizens Forums (CFs). Our approach will be to consult with these NGOs, as

well as other organizations with similar experiences such as Rupantar, so as to cull effective practices and

tools and distill these into a dedicated SDLG Project assistance package and approach. Using train-the-

trainer methods, we will support NGO partners to develop consistent capacities to deliver SDLG project

assistance.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 1: DEVELOP TRAINING MATERIALS WITH NGO PARTNERS

Approach: Understanding the value of working with existing and proven methodologies, and having

conducted our own inventory of effective local government strengthening practices, the SDLG Project

will approach this activity collaboratively with our NGO partners. To begin, we will consult broadly,

including with organizations with significant experience that are not SDLG partners, such as Rupantar,

the LGSP and the National Institute of Local Governance (NILG), in order to draw fully upon the rich

variety of experiences and practices with CFs that are represented in Bangladesh. Subsequently, and

replicating our methodology for developing training materials for LGUs, we will hold a series of

workshops with our NGO partners in order to develop project-specific materials for supporting or

establishing CFs and subsequently providing training and technical assistance to them.

Timing: We anticipate developing CF training materials in June–July 2011.

TASK A, ACTIVITY 2: ESTABLISH AND SUPPORT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION FORUMS

Approach: Working with our NGO partners, our approach to establishing and supporting Citizens

Forums will involve a sequence of assistance activities. We will begin with a community orientation

meeting to introduce the SDLG Project, its goals and objectives, and to form the CFs. Subsequent

meetings of the CPFs will help clarify the roles of the CFs themselves and identify and prioritize

community needs. Finally, meetings will assist the CFs to develop activity agendas, specifically including

preparing for Participatory Strategic Planning with the relevant LGU.

For this activity, we anticipate there will be multiple opportunities for the SDLG Project to liaise with and

seek linkages to other USAID-funded projects active within our selected LGU cluster sites. The

determination of these linkage opportunities their integration into the SDLG Project work planning and

management processes, will be supported by the project’s Linkages Coordinator.

Timing: Our timing for training and technical assistance for CFs is anticipated as follows: community

orientation/forming CFs in September, clarify roles/prioritize community needs in October, and develop

activity agendas/prepare for Participatory Strategic Planning with LGUs in November–December 2011.

2.4.2 TASK B: PARTICIPATORY STRATEGIC PLANNING

While the SDLG Project will establish citizen participation forums, and provide training and technical

assistance to them during Project Year 1, the activity of joint participatory strategic planning (PSP) with

local governments will largely apply to Project Year 2. This is because effective PSP should be timed to

the annual budget cycle, and thus the SDLG Project training and technical assistance for joint PSP will

begin in earnest early in 2012.


We envision several inter-related activities to be accomplished in Project Year 2 in support of PSP for the

initial set of LGUs and CPFs supported under the first wave of SDLG Project support. These include:

Holding PSP meetings focused on participatory planning/budgeting;

Monitoring of LGU and CPF satisfaction with the PSP process; and

Establishing a grant incentive program that rewards highly effective PSPs, as measured by objective

and transparent procedures.

Consistent with the planned scaling up and roll-out of a second wave of assistance for LGUs and CFs, we

will also begin in Project Year 2 the provision of training and technical assistance to another set of CFs

with PSP planned for this second set during Project Year 3 in line with the annual budget cycle.

2.5 COMPONENT 5: WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY

The SDLG Project recognizes that the Windows of Opportunity funds exist to provide flexibility to

USAID/Bangladesh and the project team to undertake activities and achieve results consistent with the

SDLG Project scope of work (SOW) which had not been anticipated at the time of contract award. The

SDLG Project will be responsive to USAID/Bangladesh priorities as well as proactive with USAID in

offering suggestions for options under this Component 5: Windows of Opportunity. We will also develop

a rapid-response capacity to implement activities once these have been identified and approved by

USAID/Bangladesh.

COMPONENT 5, ACTIVITY 1: FRIENDS OF SDLG GROUP

Approach: The SDLG Project will flexibly and creatively be proactive in recognizing emerging

opportunities consistent with the Windows of Opportunity component and communicating these to

USAID/Bangladesh. To this end, we will establish a Friends of SDLG Group that will meet on a quarterly

basis in order to review SDLG Project activities that are ongoing and upcoming while engaging in

constructive consideration of additional opportunities that may be emerging that are worthy of project

consideration. We will engage our USAID/Bangladesh Chief Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR)

in these meetings, as she desires. As opportunities are recognized, we will responsibly propose specific

Windows of Opportunity activities, to include concise proposals with anticipated budget, to

USAID/Bangladesh for consideration. Illustrative examples of possible Windows of Opportunity

activities include:

Collaborating and developing synergies with other USAID/Bangladesh projects, specifically

including substantial activities now under development in association with three Presidential

Initiatives in the areas of food security, global health and climate change;

Supporting the strategic agendas that are developed by the re-activated BUPF National Women’s

Forum and the to-be-formed national and unified Upazila Association;

Selecting three pilot Upazilas from Project Year 1 clusters that desire to implement reform

recommendations that emerge from SDLG Project/IGS research and policy dialogue activities; and

Supporting elected officials, especially women, at all LGU levels to better implement the National

Women’s Development Policy.

Timing: We anticipate forming the Friends of SDLG Group in April and holding quarterly meetings

thereafter in June, September and December 2011.


COMPONENT 5, ACTIVITY 2: RAPID RESPONSE CAPACITY

Approach: In order to effectively implement Windows of Opportunity activities, the SDLG Project will

develop a rapid and flexible capacity for making grants and negotiating subcontracts. These mechanisms

will be employed as possible. To the extent the Windows of Opportunities activities will require

significant and unanticipated level of effort (LOE) from professional and technical staff and consultants

for the SDLG Project, the Tetra Tech ARD Senior Technical Advisor/Manager will bring this matter to

the attention of the project COTR and CO in order to determine the best path forward, including

consideration of budget modifications for the total SDLG Project LOE approved work days.

Timing: We anticipate establishing a rapid response grants and subcontracting capacity to support the

Windows of Opportunity component during April–May 2011.


4.0 CROSS-CUTTING THEMES AND APPROACHES

Throughout the design of our Workplan and proposed activities under the several Component and Tasks

areas, we sought to integrate cross-cutting themes–geographic focus of concern to USAID/Bangladesh,

coordination and partner linkages, gender and excluded groups and media and outreach. We propose

some activities specifically to enhance one or another cross-cutting theme while simultaneously weaving

these themes into other activities primarily oriented to address other SDLG Project goals and objectives.

4.1 GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION

Understanding the geographic history of USAID/Bangladesh’s support for local government

strengthening we will focus our regional activities primarily in the north-west and south-west, with

particular emphasis on the Rajshahi Division. We employed a methodologically sound site selection

strategy to provisionally choose the particular local government units we will target for training and

technical assistance as noted below. However, we will also consult closely with the Mission prior to

selecting the full range of final sites for LGU assistance in order to best support and develop synergies

with other USAID-supported activities currently operating as well as coming on-line in the near future

(e.g., Presidential Initiatives).

As discussed above, our site selection methodology identified contiguous clusters of LGUs associated

with single or side-by-side Districts within areas of geographic concentration. Our proposed clusters are

named above in our discussion of Component 3, Task Area A.

4.2 COORDINATION AND PARTNER LINKAGES

The SDLG Project proposes a variety of mechanisms to link with other USAID programs (both in the DG

sector as well as other sector areas), related donor programs and relevant Government of Bangladesh

initiatives. On the one hand, recognizing there are significant challenges faced in Bangladesh to effectively

strengthen local governments, we will seek to maximize the reach of our project by identifying ways to

leverage the resources, networks and experience of other programs. On the other hand, the SDLG Project

understands that as a result of the working relationships we will develop with LGUs, LGAs and local

government stakeholders nation-wide, we are in a strategic position to support other programs in the pursuit

of their own goals, be these related to health, education, disaster mitigation or others.

The SDLG Project will:

Coordinate with the USAID/Bangladesh Strategic Objective teams: The objective will be to share

strategic approaches so as to map out areas of potential synergy and identify possible shared activities

with sufficient lead time to ensure effective coordination. While we will place particular emphasis on

this during our initial three-month start-up period, we will work with our SDLG COTR to ensure regular

coordination occurs thereafter. In addition to coordination at the Mission level, we will also hold


meetings at the national and field levels with USAID partners with which we are able to identify

concrete opportunities and synergies.

Liaise with and seek linkage opportunities with USAID/Bangladesh partners and their projects: Our linkages plan will be developed and regularly updated by our COP, DCOP, and technical leaders in

the field on the basis of ongoing consultations with USAID/Bangladesh and its international and local

partners that are active in-country. Just as one example of an opportunity associated with USAID’s DG

Sector includes the possibility that the SDLG Project could work with the PRODIP Project in support of

policy reform initiatives that may be of concern to, and even taken up as legislative issues by, MPs. We

will also consult closely with USAID/Bangladesh to explore possible program linkages and synergies

that might be developed in support of emerging programs associated with Presidential Initiatives, such as

Feed the Future and Global Health Initiative.

Follow the lead of USAID in establishing relations with the Government of Bangladesh: The project

will build upon these executive-level meetings to establish relations with government technical and

implementing teams. Our first objective will be to heighten the interest of the Ministry of Local

Government in the SDLG Project. With USAID support, we will introduce our project to the Minister

and Secretary, Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and

Cooperatives. We will then establish a regular working relationship with the Director General of Local

Government in the Ministry as well as other technical and implementing officers as needed over time.

Support effective Donor Coordination on Local Governance in consultation with USAID: The

project’s approach to donor coordination will feature regular communications with other donor-funded

projects involved in local developments. This will prominently include the World Bank-funded LGSP as

well as the smaller Swiss-funded SHARIQE Project. There has been dialogue with USAID/Bangladesh

about the SDLG Project participating in the Local Government Donor Coordination Group, and we will

welcome this opportunity if it materializes. It is a priority of the SDLG Project to learn from other

projects and leverage resources to achieve project objectives.

Integrate project coordination and establishing linkages into SDLG Project staffing and systems: We will hire a dedicated technical staff Linkages Coordinator to help ensure we accomplish coordination

and strategic linking with other projects on a day-to-day basis and in relation to SDLG Project-sponsored

activities. This coordinator will take the lead to draft our Coordination and Linkages Plan as one of her

or his initial key assignments, and the SDLG Project leadership will ensure that coordination and linkage

initiatives become integrated into the Annual Work Plans and into other planning documents and

management meetings on a routine basis.

4.3 GENDER AND EXCLUDED GROUPS

Throughout implementation of all activities, the SDLG Project will reinforce the capacities of women–

elected officials, government officers, and citizens actively participating in their communities–to

accomplish better their mandates, serve as role models, and ensure their contributions to strengthening

local governments are effectively taken into account. The project’s strategy will seek to mainstream

gender throughout the distinct project components by increasing the participation of women at all levels

of local government as well as in citizen participation forums. The project will ensure that women

participate in and benefit from all project interventions. All training activities will be accessible to women

and men by taking into consideration the prevailing cultural norms in any given locality. Within the first

three months of project start-up, the project will identify the full spectrum of gender consideration needs

and create a Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan. Specific ways we will promote gender equity across

SDLG Project components include:


Citizen Participation Forums: The SDLG Project will ensure that capacity building and creation

of/support to local organizations all equitably represent women and men. To the greatest extent

possible, the project will work with our NGO partners to target local community organizations which

broadly reflect the gender, economic, social, native, and political mix of the community.

Local Government Units: We will work with our NGO partners to design our training and technical

assistance activities to incorporate fully the needs of women and seek to address known challenges to

women’s effective participation, including for women in Union Councils and the newly-elected Vice-

Chairwomen of Upazilas. We will include gender-related success stories in our in-country study tours

and related horizontal learning activities.

Research and Policy Dialogue: In consultation with SDLG Project partner IGS, we will ensure that

gender-related topics are featured prominently within the research and policy dialogue activities. We

will also ensure that women participate in these activities, whether as researchers, panelists and

discussants at roundtables, or members of consensus-building dialogues.

Local Government Associations: Throughout our work with LGAs we will work to ensure that

women and their concerns are present in activities. We will include gender-sensitivity in our

leadership training curriculum. And we will specifically support women active in LGAs to

collectively organize by re-launching the BUPF National Women’s Caucus.

Gender-sensitive outreach campaigns: In concert with SDLG Project partners and stakeholders,

including the BCDJC, we will work to ensure that coverage of local government issues are gender-

sensitive, avoid negative stereotypes and present positive images of women as leaders. The project’s

media and outreach strategy will specifically target women and youth, along with men.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): In all aspects of the project, balance between genders will be a

factor. The project will develop an M&E system that ensures data is collected and disaggregated by

gender, analyzed, and that recommendations are made to ensure that access to the project is gender-

equitable.

As the SDLG Project matures during Project Year 1 and thereafter, we will look for additional

opportunities to support women and other traditionally excluded groups. We anticipate bringing

additional suggestions in these regards to USAID/Bangladesh for consideration as Component 5:

Windows of Opportunity activities.

4.4 MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS, AND OUTREACH

The bulk of the media coverage for the SDLG Project will be created through events in Dhaka and in

targeted regional markets. Our communications and outreach program focuses on creating news and

moving our message in addition to the coverage generated through these events. To establish our message

early, we will frame a compelling narrative around USAID/Bangladesh’s SDLG Project record of results

and clear goal to strengthen sustainable service delivery at the local level. To break through the clutter of

the national debate and ensure message clarity and discipline, we will move this message in local markets

and among key opinion leaders.

Beyond media activity, our tactics will reach audiences through communications channels that match

their lifestyles, deploying folk music, theater and cartoons. We will also explore newly developed ways to

engage target audiences with mobile technology, telephones, and over the Internet. In the process, we will

create enduring infrastructure for local governments and their supporters to amplify their message, collect

data and disseminate important updates and move a constructive conversation with their constituents and

policymakers. Specifics include:


Research and Policy Dialogue: We will work strategically with the media and develop communications

and outreach tools so as to raise the level of constructive policy dialogue in print and electronic media

too. For our research conferences, policy roundtables, and regional conferences, we will generate news

and editorial coverage both nationally and in local markets. Examples of activities include: hold regional

briefings with editors and reporters by market, build a list of experts to carry our message on talk shows

and in editorial sections, place inserts in regional newspapers with opportunities to engage in dialogue and

action, and train university faculty and staff on how to publicize findings to local media representatives.

Sharing Innovative Practices: As the SDLG Project will help identify effective local government

practices, there will be good opportunity to share these across the life of the project. With local

government units scheduled for Internet connectivity over the next several years, we would like to

conduct trainings to make best practices available on an ongoing basis online. For example, this can be

done by creating a mobile-friendly webpage to provide resources and best practices. Similarly, we can

consider a website for the BUPF National Women’s Caucus and build an email and SMS list to facilitate

communication.

Local Government Associations: Key objectives of our work with BUPF, MAB, and the new Upazila

association will be to raise their public profile, enhance their credibility, and increase advocacy capacity

by clearly communicating their record of results, agenda, and policy initiatives. To this end, we anticipate

training associations and their members on how to get their messages out and identify go-to association

members to comment on local impacts of national policies and news items and provide media training and

producing tools such as training videos, manuals and cards with roles and responsibilities, screen savers,

and posters.

Endorsements: To create a sense of momentum around the importance of strong local governments, we

will roll out a series of endorsements by region around important constituencies and major issues

beginning in April, following the local elections. Most of these rollouts highlighting local elected leaders

and service providers will be accomplished through press releases, with a select few announced at local

events with surrogates, establishing our supporter base early.

Program Activities: We will also work to create a sense of momentum by publicizing the program’s

regional conferences and field activities and exploiting local media interest in notable surrogates and

experts who participate. Before policy conferences and program events, we would like to have these

notables take part in visibilities at local service delivery sites to generate photos in local newspapers.

Surrogates: We will develop a list of national surrogates that we believe will be effective in carrying our

message to key constituencies. These surrogates will fall into three main categories, based on whether

they appeal to important constituencies, speak to major issues, or provide personal testimonies about the

services local governments provide. We would like to schedule these surrogates to discuss the importance

of local governments through media interviews and at community gatherings beginning in September.

Major Announcements: When Ministers makes a major speech or announcement, we would like to issue

a press release with region-specific information and quotes from local government officials and experts

and book local elected officials and appropriate surrogates for television and radio interviews. In addition,

when local elected officials make important announcements about services, we would like to edit their

speeches into an opinion-editorial for placement in a daily newspaper and follow the op-ed by letters to

the editor from experts and supporters.

Day-in-the-life Profiles: To publicize the services local governments provide and to show that local

government officials are experienced, hard-working, and capable, we would like to schedule time for

reporters to spend a day with many of them on the job in-district. These requests will be submitted for

scheduling beginning at the beginning of next year.


Surrogate Media Activities: In addition to the interviews surrogates hold during trips and around local

events, we would also recommend the following media activities: One editorial board with each of the

major daily newspapers covering Dhaka and the regional markets; roundtables with small groups of

opinion leaders, weekly newspaper and newsletter editors, radio reporters, and TV producers; radio

conference calls from Dhaka with selected stations across the country; TV interviews from Dhaka on

national news items; radio talk shows via telephone as well as studio appearances on the major networks;

and one-on-one interviews with beat reporters in region (other than political reporters) to discuss specific

issues, such as education, health care, and economic development.

Life-style marketing: While opinion leaders rely heavily on media coverage, we will reach other target

audiences through proven lifestyle communications. We will test various audio and visual channels and

mobile and Internet technologies commonplace in marketing throughout the country in the first year,

deploying the most effective tactics next year.


APPENDIX A. PROJECT YEAR 1 TASK AND TIMELINE


Bangladesh SDLG Project: Draft Year 1 Implementation Task and Timeline

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 2012

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

COMPONENT 1: ROLES AND AUTHORITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Task A. Research and Information Dissemination

Establish local government policy research program

Dialogue with IGS. experts and SDLG stakeholders to identify key local government research needs

X X

National-Level Research Conferences X X X

Support regional universities to develop local governance research capacities

Dialogue with academic units to identify research needs and capacities

X X

Regional workshops and seminars X X X X

Task B. Policy Dialogue

Local government stakeholder political mapping and census of key actors

X X

Bi-annual opinion polls on topical policy reform issues X X

Policy reform roundtables on decentralization and local governance reform

Dialogue with IGS. experts and SDLG stakeholders to identify key local government policy reform issues

X

Policy Roundtables X X X

Consensus-building dialogues with national-level actors on key local government policy reform issues

Consultation of with local government and other key actors to establish dialogues

X X

Periodic meetings of local government actors X X X X X

Task C. Innovative Practices

Inventory local government practices and develop innovation toolkit

X X

Reactivate and support BUPF National Women’s Caucus


Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 2012


Hold caucus re-launch meeting X

Establish national coordination committee X X

Develop Strategic Plan X

Hold leadership training X

In-country learning tours for LGU officials X X

Study tour for Ministry officials, MAB/BUPF, BUPF Women’s Caucus to India, Indonesia, Philippines, or Sri Lanka

X X

Task D. Partnership Building

Special incentive fund for partnerships for improved service delivery (planning in Year 1, Implementation in Year 2, 3)

COMPONENT 2: ADVOCACY AND CAPACITY BUILDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATIONS

Task A. Training and Technical Assistance

Support (TA and/or Financial) MAB elections for Regional Committees and Executive Committee

X X

Appreciative inquiry/baseline study of MAB and BUPF (MAB: April. BUPF: June)

X X

Strategic plans with MAB and BUPF for organizational improvement (MAB: July. BUPF: August)

X X

Leadership training for MAB and BUPF (Sep–Oct) X X

Develop plan for financial sustainability (July, August) and fundraising capacity (Jan, Feb ‘12)

X X X X

Task B. Operational Support Services

Define parameters and provide financial support for core operations

X X X X X X X X X X X X

Organize MAB-BUPF Coordination Committee (Dec) X

Support new Upazila local government association

Coordination of existing Upazila associations: Upazila Chairmans’ Forum and Upazila Chairman and Vice-Chairmans’ Oykayo

X

Hold Divisional Leadership Elections X

Hold Executive Committee Election X


Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 2012


Strategic Planning for new Upazila Association X X

Form Federation of Local Government Associations. (Project Year 2 or 3)

COMPONENT 3: TRANSPARENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Task A: Training and Technical Assistance

LGU Site Selection X X

Baseline Study X X X

Consultations with USAID Partners on Sectoral Training that targets LG leaders

X X

Collaborative development of training materials with NGO partners

X X X

Training-of-trainers with NGO partners X X

Cluster Reception Meetings for LGUs in collaboration with BUPF and MAB

X

Trainings for LGUs (Sep–Feb)

Financial management and revenue generation–two day training with follow-on mentoring

X X

Quality Service Delivery/Monitoring–one day training with follow-on mentoring

X X

Participatory planning/budgeting–two day training with follow-on mentoring

X X

COMPONENT 4: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL-DECISION MAKING

Task A. Developing Citizen Participation Forums (CPFs)

Develop training materials with NGO partners X X

Establish and support Citizen Participation Forums

Orientation of community and formation of CPFs X

Training in roles for CPFs and prioritization of community concerns

X

Activity planning for CPFs, including preparation for Participatory Strategic Planning with LGUs

X X

Task B. Participatory Strategic Planning (PSP)


Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 2012


Facilitate participatory planning /budgeting involving Citizen Participation Forums and LGUs (Year 2, Q1)

X X

Monitoring of LGU and citizen satisfaction in PSP process via mid-term evaluation (Year 2, Q2/ Q3)

Performance awards for effective PSPs (Year 3, Q3/Q4)

COMPONENT 5: WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY

Establish Friends of SDLG group X X X X

Develop rapid response capacity for grants/subcontracts X X

REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING

Annual Work Plans X X

Semi-Annual Program Performance Reports X X

Quarterly Financial Reports X X X X

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Plan X

Performance Monitoring Plan (Draft: February, Final: June) X X

NGO Partnering Plan X

Baseline survey (Conducted: March–May, Baseline Report: May)

X X X X

STTA Reports and Special Reports (intermittent) X X X X X X

Key: X = Activity Execution

US Agency for International Development/Bangladesh Madani Avenue,

Dhaka Bangladesh Phone: (880-2) 885-5500

Fax: (880-2) 882-3648 www.usaid.gov/bd/

sdlg usaid 2011 work plan

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